can't delete folders in win7 because explorer is using them

unwashed potato! · 16 Mar 2012 at 12:12

trying to tidy up some old folders i never use and i can't delete them without using unlockerr program, which tells me win explorer is using them but i can't figure out why. these are folders that i haven't used in ages just have a few word files/images/text files.

any clue why this might be happening? unlocker is deleting them fine but it's annoying to have to run it on each folder.

Vimes · 16 Mar 2012 at 12:48

I can't specifically help you with that one, except to use the Unlocker. I too have had to use that as sometimes either Explorer seems to want to keep a some random folder or even Firefox and or a Firefox plugin, according to the Unlocker information on what is preventing a deletion.
Even though FF has not downloaded anything to the folder I have found that if I manually close the browser I often get the ability then to delete what I need.

Pho · 16 Mar 2012 at 13:17

Try Process Explorer. Open it up, go to Find > Fine Handle or DLL and enter part of the path of your folders (e.g. 'videos') and click search.

It should tell you the PID of the process which is using it which you can kill via task manager or command line:

taskkill /PID xxxx

lurkio · 16 Mar 2012 at 13:19

if you have for example a Ubunutu disc you could boot with it and delete
what you want from within ubuntu

gillywibble · 16 Mar 2012 at 13:30

Another method is to delete files within the folder (or sub folders) and then it may let you delete the folder. Has worked on numerous occasions for me.

unwashed potato! · 16 Mar 2012 at 23:35

gillywibble said:
Another method is to delete files within the folder (or sub folders) and then it may let you delete the folder. Has worked on numerous occasions for me.

this actually worked for me for all the folders. very odd issue no idea why explorer wouldn't let me delete until it was empty, as the folders were just random ones i haven't accessed in years